Bobbin orienting and loading apparatus



Sept. 29, 1970 L. w. PRAY BOBBIN ORIENTING AND LOADING APPARATUS s Sheets-Sheet '1 Filed Feb; 11. 1969 I INVENTOR.

zzsrz/e W. PRAY Sept. 29, 1970 w, PRAYv 3,531,016

BOBBIN ORIENTING AND LOADING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 11, 1969 s Sheets-Sheet 2 PRESSURE 4 REGULATOR L. w. PRAY 3,531,016

BOBBIN ORIENTING AND LOADING APPARATUS 7 Sept. 29, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 11. 1969 v 2 4 5 Z 3 111 .i. f n 9 2 Q a W 4 5 v v a; H a M m 5 Wk y a u w 2 Patented Sept. 29, 1970 3,531,016 BOBBIN ORIENTING AND LOADING APPARATUS Lester W. Pray, Clemson, SC, assignor to Maremont Corporation, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 11, 1969, Ser. No. 798,389 Int. Cl. G07f 11/00 US. Cl. 221-13 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for delivering tapered textile bobbins, one at a time and in a desired uniform orientation, from a supply source in which the bobbins are end-to-end randomly oriented and to a conveyor associated with mechanism for donning the bobbins upon a spinning frame or the like. The desired orientation of each bobbin is achieved during and without delaying or interrupting its transit. Pneumatic control means correlates the bobbin delivery to movement of the conveyor, which may be and preferably is continuously driven during the loading operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to textile bobbin orienting and loading apparatus particularly but not exclusively adapted for use in association with automatic dolfers for spinning frames or the like. US. Pat. 3,410,452 discloses apparatus of the present type, wherein tapered textile bobbins are delivered one at a time and with their base ends downward onto spaced studs of a conveyor belt which may be mounted upon a spinning frame in association with bobbin dofiing and donning mechanism. In one embodiment of the apparatus disclosed in said patent, the bobbins are originally randomly oriented from end to end.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an improved bobbin orienting and loading apparatus which is highly reliable and efiicient in operation, orienting of each bobbin being accomplished during and without interruption of its transportation from a supply source and, if desired, placement of the oriented bobbins upon stud members of the conveyor associated with an automatic doifer being accomplished while the conveyor is continuously moving.

In a preferred form, the apparatus removes an endwise randomly oriented bobbin from a hopper or other source and positively transports it in a direction transverse to its axis along a predetermined path of travel extending toward the inlet of a generally funnel-shaped chute. While being so transported, the bobbin is engaged at its larger diameter end by a stationary cam member extending longitudinally above one side of the path of travel. This axially shifts the bobbin in the direction of its smaller end, which passes freely beneath a similar cam member extending longitudinally above the opposite side of the path of travel. At the end of the path, the axially-shifted bobbin falls toward the chute inlet and spaced abutment members associated therewith. The smaller end of the bobbin strikes one of these members, pivoting the bobbin such that its larger end leads during entry into the chute. Orientation of the bobbin is completed by the sloping walls of the funnel-shaped chute, so that upon gravity discharge from the chutes outlet the bobbin extends vertically with its large end lowermost. The bobbin is moved form beneath the chute outlet to a position adjacent one end of a belt-type conveyor which preferably is continuously driven and has a plurality of bobbin-receiving stud members spaced along its length. The operation of the apparatus is so synchronized with the conveyors movement that the bobbin is received upon a desired one of the stud members as it passes by the position to which the bobbin was moved. Succeeding bobbins are similarly oriented and loaded onto other of the conveyor studs for so long as the apparatus continues in operation.

The apparatus also includes, in its preferred form, pneumatic control and actuating means insuring reliable synchronous operation even under adverse conditions and after prolonged use. An air source maintains a regulated flow of control air in a line that opens to the atmosphere and confronts the similarly open end of a receiver line positioned on the opposite side of a portion of the bobbinreceiving conveyor. A plurality of air passages are provided through the latter, these being correlated in longitudinal spacing with the spacing of the bobbin-receiving stud members. The intervening portion of the conveyor normally blocks transmittal of air from the first line to the receiver line, but movement of an air passage between the confronting ends of the lines permits air to be received within the latter. This in turn causes actuation of an air valve which then allows passage of operating air to a double acting air cylinder constituting the prime mover of the apparatus. A similar set of pneumatic control devices connected to the opposite side of the air cylinder reverses its operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the acocmpanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus of the present invention, partially in vertical section;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of the apparatus, partially in vertical section;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus, showing part of its pneumatic controls;

FIG. 4 is a diagramatic showing of the pneumatic circuitry of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a bobbin carrier of the apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of that portion of the apparatus immediately beneath the bobbin supply hopper.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus includes a hopper generally indicated as 5 containing a supply of tapered bobbins 10 extending in generally horizontally disposed and endwise randomly arranged relationship to each other. Hopper 5 has end walls 4, side walls 6 (one not shown), an open top and a bottom 7. Bottom 7 is provided with two downwardly sloping sections 7 that terminate at and direct the bobbins toward an outlet opening 8. Outlet opening 8 is generally rectangular in shape and has a series of slots 8' that communicate therewith and extend laterally therefrom, the purpose of which will be hereinafter set forth. While hopper 5 is shown permanently mounted to the framework of the apparatus, a portable hopper might be used.

Positioned beneath hopper 5 are means including an arcuate support plate and a bobbin carrier 30 for removing bobbins 10 one at a time from outlet 8 of hopper 5 and transporting the same in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 1 past cam means 22 and the forward end 20' of plate 20 to a position above inlet 25' of generally funnelshaped chute 25. As may best be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, carrier is generally arcuate in shape and is pivotally mounted for reciprocal movement over support plate 20 by arms 32, frame-mounted pivot shaft and connector 33. Connector 33 is joined to rod 38 of a double acting air cylinder 38 hinged to the frame of the apparatus. Actuation of cylinder 38 reciprocates carrier 30, through the described linkage, along an arcuate path of travel over plate 20 between a first or rearward position and a second or forward position, the latter being shown in FIG.

1. Carrier 30 is provided with front and rear upwardly extending fins 34, 35, respectively. At the terminal portions of carrier 30s path of reciprocatory movement, either fins 34 or 35 project into hopper 5 through outlet 8 and/or the slots 8 communicating therewith to agitate the bobbins 10 within the hopper and thus discourage their possibly bridging outlet 8. Rearwardly of fins 34 but still adjacent its forward edge, carrier 30 is provided with a generally rectangular bobbin receiving opening 36. Opening 36 extends completely through the depth of the carrier, and has a length appreciably greater and a width slightly greater than the respective length and diameter of the bobbins 10. When carrier 30 is in its first or rearward position, opening 36 thereof closely underlies hopper outlet 8. A single bobbin, designated 10' in FIG. 1, then falls through outlet 8 into opening 36 and onto the support plate 20 beneath. As carrier 30 moves forwardly to its second position, laterally transporting bobbin 10 across support 20 to the point beyond its forward end 20 where the bobbin falls through opening 36 and toward chute 25, solid rear section 38 of the carrier blocks hopper outlet 8 and prevents the discharge of additional bobbins therefrom. Section 38 similarly continues to block outlet 8 during the thereafter ensuing return movement of carrier 30 back to its first position.

While bobbin 10' is being moved laterally across support 20 by carrier 30, it is also shifted axially in the direction of its smaller diameter end 11 by cam means 22. As is best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, cam means 22 comprises two arcuate cam fingers 22, 22" mounted upon the frame of the apparatus so as to extend above and generally parallel to support plate 20 at its opposite side edges. Fingers 22', 22" are spaced above support 20 a distance greater than the diameter of the smaller end 11 of bobbin 10' but less than the diameter of the bobbins larger end 12, and their confronting edges taper inwardly toward each other in the direction of forward movement of carrier 30. At their rearward portions, fingers 22, 22 lie outwardly of the opposite ends of hopper outlet 8, so as to not impede passage of bobbins therefrom. Each bobbin falling through outlet 8 and into opening 36 of carrier 30 will, depending upon its random endwise orientation, have its larger end adjacent one or the other of fingers 22, 22". The bobbin 10 has been arbitrarily shown with its larger diameter end 12 adjacent finger 22". During forward movement of carrier 30 with bobbin 10' received within opening 36 and upon support 20, the tapered inner edge of finger 22" will engage the bobbins larger end 12 and will, under the impetus of carriage 30s continued movement shift bobbin 10' axially in the direction of its smaller end 11, which passes freely beneath the opposite cam finger 22'. If the bobbin orientation had been reversed, then finger 22 would have axially shifted the bobbin in the opposite direction, such that it would have passed beneath finger 22". The length of opening 36 is sufficiently greater than that of the bobbins so as to not impede the aforesaid axial movement in either direction. When carriage 30 reaches its forward position, the then axially-shifted bobbin 10' within opening 36 falls freely therefrom toward the chute inlet 25' at that time disposed therebeneath.

Bobbin 10' is now caused, during its passage to and through chute 25, to become vertically orientated with its larger end 12 lowermost. Abutment means 24 are provided between the second position of carrier 30 and inlet 25' of chute 25 for engagement with each bobbin falling from the former and into the latter. As shown in FIG. 6, abutment means 24 may comprise spaced abutment members 24', 24", mounted upon or formed integral with chute 25 adjacent the opposite ends of its generally rectangular inlet 25'. The spacing between and positioning of members 24', 24" is such that each axially-shifted bobbin falling from carrier 30 will have its smaller end portion, but not its larger end portion, engaged by one or the other of the members as it descends. In the case of the bobbin 10' shown, its smaller end is engaged by member 24'. An oppositely oriented bobbin would be engaged by member 24". In either case, descent of the bobbins smaller end is impeded while its larger end falls freely, thus causing the bobbin to pivot such that its larger end leads during entry into chute 25 (see FIG. 2). The sloping side walls of chute 25s upper portion then further orient the bobbins, during its downward passage through the chute, so that upon discharge from the chutes narrow outlet 25" the bobbin extends vertically with its large end down.

Located below chute 25 is a second pivotally mounted bobbin carrier 40 which receives each bobbin 10 from outlet 25" and positions the received bobbins for automatic removal by and mounting upon spaced studs 52 of an endless belt-type conveyor 50. Carrier 40 comprises an upright frame having a flared open top 40', an open side 41 and a partially open bottom 43, the latter including a peripheral flange 44 for supporting a bobbin, such as that shown in phantom lines and designated in FIG. 1 by the numeral 10", received with carrier 40. Carrier 40 is pivotally movable in a horizontal plane between a bobbin receiving position wherein it underlies chute outlet 25" and a bobbin discharging position wherein it closely overlies that end portion of conveyor belt moving upwardly upon conveyor roll 50, the aforesaid two positions of carrier 40 being shown in solid and dash lines respectively in FIG. 1. Pivotal movement is imparted to carrier 40 substantially simultaneously with carrier 30, by the same air cylinder 38. When cylinder 38 is actuated so as to extend rod 38-, moving carrier 30 forwardly from its first position and to its second position as previously described, carrier 40 will be simultaneously pivoted through the aforesaid linkage from its first or bobbin discharging position and to its second or bobbin receiving position beneath chute outlet 25". Carrier 40 will at this time be empty, so as to be capable of receiving the bobbin deposited by carrier 30 within chute 25, upon the bobbins passage through and from the chute. When cylinder 38 is then actuated so as to retract rod 38, moving carrier 30 rearwardly again to its first position, carrier 40 is simultaneously pivoted forwardly (as viewed in FIG. 1) to its discharge position wherein it closely overlies belt 50. In the discharge position of carrier 40, its open side 41 faces in the direction of movement of belt 50, to the left as viewed in FIG. 1, which belt may be and preferably is continuously driven during operation of the present apparatus by any suitable means, such as the motor 92 shown in FIG. 3 connected to the shaft of conveyor roll 50. When carrier 40 is in its discharge position, the next stud 52 moving with belt 50 about roll 50' and onto the upper flight of the conveyor will project during such movement into the lower end of the bobbin then contained within carrier 40. The continued movement of the stud 52 with belt 50 will then withdraw the bobbin from open side 41 of carrier 40 and, in conjunction with gravity, will cause the bobbin to be securely seated upon the stud. As the seated bobbin moves leftward with belt 50, as to a station adjacent a spinning spindle (not shown) from which a full bobbin is to be doifed and onto which the empty bobbin is to be donned, additional bobbins are loaded in the same manner upon alternate ones of the following studs 52 passing upwardly about roll 50', the intervening studs being left vacant to receive the full bobbins to be doffed.

In order for the foregoing to transpire, carrier 40 should be in discharge position as the stud 52 intended to impale the bobbin therewithin passes onto the upper flight of conveyor belt 50, and the carrier should be moved to its receiving position and back to its discharge position, with another bobbin therewithin, before the second succeeding stud 52 passes onto the conveyors upper flight. Inexpensive and highly reliable actuating means for achieving synchronized operation of this or other desired sequence is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Re-

ferring first to FIG. 4, double acting cylinder 38 receives actuating air from supply 60 via lines 61, 62, spool valve 85, and either line 71 or 72 depending on the position of spool valve 85. Air from line 71 causes rod 38' to be extended, and line 72 air causes its retraction. Spool valve 85 receives control air from supply 60 via lines 61, 63 and either diaphragm amplifier valve 67 and line 69 or similar valve 68 and line 70. Valves 67, 68' in turn each receive control air from supply 60 via line 61, pressure regulator 86'and line 64. Two air transmitting lines 65, 66 lead off line 64 and terminate at open ends located just beneath and facing an edge portion of conveyor belt 50. Mounted above belt 50 in respective alignment with the open ends of lines 65, 66 are the similarly-open ends of two receiver lines 67, 68 that lead respectively to diaphragm amplifier valves 67', 68'. As shown in FIG. 3, conveyor 50 has a series of longitudinally spaced openings such as slots 54 along its aforesaid edge portion that serve as air passages in the impermeable barrier which the belt normally defines between the confronting open ends of air transmitting lines 65, 66 and receiver lines 67, 68. Although only two. slots 54 are shown, more would be provided, their precise number and longitudinal spacing being in accordance with the number and spacing of the bobbin receiving studs 52 upon conveyor belt 50.

When an empty bobbin is to be loaded onto every other stud 52 of conveyor belt 50, as previously described, slots 54 are provided along belt 50 at spaced locations such that one passes between the confronting open ends of lines 66, 68 before each empty-bobbin receiving stud 52 reaches carrier 40s discharge position but after the preceding vacant stud 52 has cleared such position. The spacing longitudinally of belt 50 between the open ends of lines 66, 68 and those of lines 65, 67 is, in the same illustrative case, such that each slot 54 passing from the former will reach the latter after the last-discharged bobbin has fully cleared carrier 40, then in its discharge position, and before the next-following slot 54 passes between the ends of lines 66, 68. When the spacing is as described, a slot 54 passing between the confronting ends of lines 66, 68 allows a flow of air to enter line 68, actuating diaphragm amplifier valve 68. Control air then passed through lines 61 and 63, valve 68' and line 70 forces the spool in valve 85 to the left. Air supplied by lines 61, 62 to spool valve 85 then passes through line 72 into cylinder 38 and against piston 38", causing piston 38 to move to the left and retract rod 38'. Subsequent passage of the same slot 54 between the confronting ends of lines 65, 67 permits a flow of air to pass through line 67 and actuate diaphragm valve 67'. Control air then passes from lines 61, 63 through valve 67' and line 69 to force the spool of valve 85 to the right, stopping the flow through line 72 and directing the air from line 62 through line 71. The air passing into cylinder 38 through line 71 acts on piston 38" to force it to the right and extend rod 38. As additional slots 54 pass lines 66, 68 and 65, 67, the cycle is repeated. Referring again to FIG. 4, the pneumatic circuitry preferably also includes bleed lines 80, 81 respectively interconnecting line 64 and lines 67, 68 and having orifices 80', 81 therein. These continuously pass small quantities of air into lines 67, 68 to purge their open ends of any foreign matter that might otherwise there accumulate. The orifice-controlled pressure in lines 80, 81 is, of course, insufiicient to actuate valves 67', 68'.

It will be noted that while the system neither requires or has any timing devices, which is advantageous due to the cost and unreliability of such devices, it may produce any desired timed sequence of operation by appropriate spacing of the distance between slots 54 and/or between lines 66, 68 and 65, 67. Moreover, the system will continue to function in synchronous relation to belt 50 even if slippage or other temporary interruption of the belts movement should occur.

Having described all of the attendant apparatus of the present invention, a complete cycle of operation will now be described with reference to all figures. Carrier 30 is located in its rearward position to receive a single bobbin from hopper 5 while carrier 40 is located in its discharge position where a stud 52 upon the moving conveyor belt 50 engages the bobbin within the carrier and moves it therefrom. A lot 54 in conveyor 50 passes between the confronting ends of lines 65, 67 to actuate diaphram amplifier valve 67 and permit flow of air from line 63 through valve 67' and line 69 into spool valve 85, forcing the spool to the right and then permitting air from line 62 to pass through spool valve 85 and line 71 into cylinder 38, forcing piston 38" and rod 38 to the right. The extension of rod 38' produces forward movement of carrier 30 and a bobbin carried thereby, and returns carrier 40 to beneath chute 25 to receive such bobbin.

As carrier 30 moves forward the large end of the bobbin Within opening 36 contacts the adjacent finger 22. or 22" of cam means 22 and the bobbin is axially shifted to the opposite side of the carrier, with the bobbins small end passing under the opposite finger 22' or 22". The desired axial shifting of the bobbin has been completely effected by the time carrier 30 reaches its forward position, the bobbin then immediately falling from opening 36 since support 20 is no longer thereunder. The small end of the falling bobbin strikes either abutment member 24' or 24", so that the large end of the bobbin leads as it is received within inlet 25' or chute 25. The bobbin becomes fully vertically oriented within chute 25 and falls through chute outlet 25" into carrier 40, where its large end rests on peripheral flange 44. A slot 54 passes between the open ends of lines 66, 68, permitting the fiow of air from line 66 to be received by line 68, actuating valve 68' and allowing control air from line 63 to pass through valve 68' and line into spool valve 85, forcing the spool to the left and thus permitting air from line 62 to pass into cylinder 38 through line 72. The air from line 72 forces piston 38" to the left, retracting rod 38' and moving carrier 30 rearwardly and carrier 40 to its discharge position. A stud 52 engages the bobbin Within the carrier 40 and removes the bobbin therefrom. At the end of its rearward movement, carrier 30 is now in position to receive another bobbin and the cycle ha sbeen completed. Operation continues for so long as belt 52 is driven and a supply of bobbins is maintained within hopper 5'.

Various modifications and alternative embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be governed by the claims appended hereto.

That which is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for uniformly orienting textile bobbins each having a larger diameter end and a smaller diameter end, comprising:

a chute having an inlet adapted to receive said bobbins;

transport means for transporting said bobbins, one at a time and in random endwise orientation, along a predetermined path of travel and for discharging each said bobbin adjacent said chute inlet;

cam means extending generally longitudinally of said path engageable with the larger end of each of said bobbins transported therealong for then axially shifting said bobbin in the direction of its smaller end;

and abutment means adjacent said chute inlet engageable with the smaller end of each axially shifted bobbin discharged from said transport means for so pivoting said bobbin that its larger end leads during entry into said chute inlet.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, including a hopper adapted to contain a plurality of said bobbins extending in endwise randomly oriented relationship to each other and having an outlet for passage of said bobbins therefrom, said transport means removing said bobbins one at a time from said hopper outlet and transporting the same laterally along said path of travel.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said transport means includes a bobbin support extending along said path of travel and a carrier having a bobbin opening communicating with said support and movable longitudinally thereof, said bobbins being received within said opening and supported by said support for transportation along said path.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises a pair of cam fingers fixedly mounted adjacent opposite sides of said path of travel, said fingers tapering toward each other in the direction of said chute inlet.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1, including driven conveyor means having a plurality of longitudinally spaced bobbin receiving studs extending therefrom and movable therewith, said chute having a bobbin outlet laterally spaced from said conveyor means, and a second bobbin carrier movable between a bobbin receiving position adjacent said chute outlet and a bobbin discharging position adjacent said conveyor means, and means for moving said second bobbin carrier to and from its said positions in desired relationship to the movement of said studs of said conveyor means.

6. Apparatus for uniformly orienting textile bobbins each having a larger diameter end and a smaller diameter end, comprising:

abutment means including a pair of spaced abutment members;

transport means for transporting said bobbins, one at a time and in random end'wise orientation, along a predetermined path of travel and for discharging each said bobbin adjacent said abutment means for passage between said spaced members thereof;

cams means fixedly mounted adjacent said path of travel engageable with the larger end of each of said bobbins during said transporting thereof for then axially shifting said bobbin in a direction moving its smaller end toward one of said abutment members and its larger end away from the other of said members;

said one of said abutment members engaging the smaller end of each said bobbin discharged from said transport means for so pivoting said bobbin that its larger end leads during passage between said abutment members.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said cam means includes a pair of elongate tapered cam fingers adjacent and extending generally longitudinally of opposite sides of said path of travel.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said transport means includes a plate adapted to support each said bobbin during said transporting thereof along said path of travel, said fingers overlying said plate and being spaced thereabove a distance greater than the diameter of the small end of said bobbins and less than the diameter of the large end of said bobbins.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8, wherein the distance between confronting edges of said tapered fingers is at one place along said path greater than the length of said bobbins and elsewhere along said path is less than the length of said bobbins.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said transport means further includes a carrier movable along said path of travel above said plate and below said cam fingers, said carrier having a bobbin-receiving opening therein, and each said bobbin transported along said path of travel being received within said opening and supported upon said plate and then engaged at its larger end by one of said fingers.

11. In bobbin orienting and loading apparatus including bobbin supply means, driven conveyor means having a plurality of bobbin receiving members spaced longitudinally thereof, and means effective When actuated for 8. delivering bobbins from said bobbin supply means one at a time and in a desired orientation to said conveyor means for reception upon said spaced members thereof, the improvement comprising:

air transmitting means and air receiving means positioned in confronting relationship on opposiite sides of the path of travel of a portion of said conveyor means, said portion of said conveyor means having a plurality of air passages extending therethrough and correlated in spacing with the spacing of said bobbin receiving members of said conveyor means, air from said transmitting means being received by said receiving means upon the movement therebetween of one of said air passages and being at other times blocked from said receiving means by said portion of said conveyor means, and means connected to said receiving means and responsive to whether air is received therein from said transmitting means for actuating said delivery means.

12. Bobbin orienting and loading apparatus, comprising:

bobbin supply means having an outlet;

driven conveyor means having a plurality of bobbin receiving members spaced longitudinally thereof and movable therewith;

a chute having an inlet and an outlet;

a first bobbin carrier movable between a first position adjacent said supply outlet and a second position adjacent said chute inlet, for transporting bobbins one at a time from said supply outlet to said chute inlet;

means associated with said first bobbin carrier and with said chute for uniformly orienting each of said bobbins passing to and through said chute;

a second bobbin carrier movable between a first position adjacent said conveyor means and a second position adjacent said chute outlet, for transporting each of said oriented bobbins one at a time from said chute outlet to said conveyor means;

means actuable in a first direction for moving said carriers substantially simultaneously to said first positions thereof, and actuable in a second direction for moving said carriers substantially simultaneously to said second positions thereof;

and means responsive to movement of said conveyor means for actuating said carrier moving means in said directions thereof.

13. Apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said actuating means includes air transmitting means and air receiving means mounted in confronting relationship on opposite sides of a portion of said conveyor means movable therebetween, said portion of said conveyor means having a plurality of spaced air passages passing air from said transmitting means and to said receiving means upon movement of one of said passages therebetween.

14 Apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said conveyor means comprises an elongate conveyor belt extending upwardly at one end portion to a generally horizontal upper flight, said belt having a plurality of studs projecting outwardly therefrom and defining said bobbin receiving members, and said first position of said second bobbin carrier being intermediate said upwardly extending end portion and said horizontal flight of said belt.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,429,479 2/ 1969 Birkett 221-172 3,410,452 11/1968 Igel 221--13 3,090,476 5/ 1963 Sanders.

2,595,065 4/ 1952 Evasic 221-172 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner L. SUMMER, Assistant Examiner. 

